This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We were dropped off at the airport at about 9.30am and went to check in which was empty. We were quickly checked in and up in the lift to security. Mr Avalon had no problem but I was summoned to the shoe carnival which was a pain. Then somehow I managed to set the metal alarms off which resulted in being searched[:0], I think it was the metal on the pockets of my jeans but am still not sure. Eventually we made it to the Clubhouse where we settled down to have a coffee while we decided how to plan our time. Neither of us had made appointments this time so this made things slightly easier. I had a shopping list from the junior avalons so it was a spell of retail therapy that was called for especially as the $ was already making some items duty free cheaper than in the US.
That done we returned to the Clubhouse for a spot of brunch before the flight. We were too early for the lunch menu and so had to eat off the early menu and decided on the full english which was very good. The Clubhouse was very busy and service was quite relaxed but the food was good. We then went back to the bar area to make a few phone calls and have coffee. The flight was called on time and we took our time before setting off for the gate. I would say we left after the second call. We arrived at the gate to see a second random security check and I was yet again one the lucky ones. All my hand baggage was thoroughly searched and so were the items we had bought in duty free but eventually I passed inspection.
Boarding started and I was still repacking my handbaggage to my satisfaction when a second call was made which I did not hear. Mr Avalon said that boarding had been stopped as the gangway was needed for another plane[V]and the passengers would have to wait. So wait we did for about 35 - 40 minutes until we were allowed to board.
Once on board we settled into our seats and as we were being offered champagne etc a rather irate American 'gentleman' demanded to know if we were travelling together. He shoved the crew member aside and repeated his demand. Mr Avalon confirmed that we were travelling together whereupon he told us that we would have to move seats as his family had been split up - as it happened we would not have minded moving under the circumstances but he was so rude. Another crew member then came up thanked us for agreeing to move but explained that she was on top of things and there was no need for us to move, someone else had already done so. We settled down again only to realise that Mr Happy was next to me.
After take off Mr Happy started again - loudly! The drinks orders were being taken and he asked for something for his child - I think he wanted plain crisps and there were only flavoures ones on board. He started complaining loudly, as if by magic plain crisps would appear, about the lack of choice and suitability for children. He was asked if he had ordered a childs meal and he said that his children did not eat Child Meals. Now ok my 'children' are not babies any longer but when they were we never flew or travelled anywhere without a supply of suitable food and drink for them and even now, Miss A is still a very fussy eater in the air and only eats what she fancies and so we usually end up buying something for her at the airport to take on the plane. The family next to us clearly had brought nothing apart from a few sweets for their children who were actually not that young - I reckon the youngest was about 10.
Eventually some type of snack produced from elsewhere on board satisfied Mr Happy and he was quiet until the meal service when guess what - there was nothing suitable again and no they had not brought anything. Eventually something was brought for his youngest child which if I heard correctly had come from a Crew Meal. This too was received with a scowl. Meanwhile said cherub seemed to be incapable of remaining in his seat and was charging up and down the aisle shouting at his brothers. Needless to say Mum and Dad did not seem to notice this and were engrossed in themselves.
I was getting a little stressed with all the complaining and noise and so settled down under my headphones to watch Sex and The City while Mr Avalon tuned into Mama Mia which was a most unusual choice for him.
This family moaned and groaned all through the flight, and they seemed to be incapable of showing any respect to the cabin crew.
There was no FSM on board this flight, but there were two Seniors who ran a very tight ship in spite of the moaners. At one point one came to chat to me to thank us for agreeing to move seats, even though we had not. She said that having passengers like us made her job easier[oo] which was totally unneccessary but very kind of her.
Having been dieting with some success prior to this trip, I did not eat too much - I think I had soup and some salad both of which were starters and that was it apart from some fruit from the bar but what I had was good. Mr Avalon went through the menu, pronounced it good and then went to sleep. I am sorry but do not remember the menu choices.
I must have dozed off at some point but woke up and did have an ice cream - not the Hagen Daaz but the other type they offer which was delicious.
I think they served afternoon tea but do not remember what it was or if I ate it - my memory is not what it was. My memory is not what it was.
Finally we came to the end of the flight and it was time to land. It was a smooth landing and then it was on to the hell of Homeland Security.
There was one Official who showed all the UC passengers into a queue that snaked back and forward and once that holding area had filled up, started another queue this time in a straight line, and both queues ended up at the same entry point. So you had two huge queues both trying to get through the same exit. Temperatures rose, tempers flared and the official then attempted to sort things out by selecting people who she thought were families. She failed miserably and had the Immigration area not been fully staffed things would have really got nasty. It must have taken well over an hour to clear Immigration but at least our bags were waiting for us!
Once through we picked up the bags and went out to where our driver was waiting to take us across Alligator Alley.
All in all it was a good flight in spite of Mr Happy and his family and all the extra security checks I attracted.
I will post the return which was was equally good but a lot more uneventful.
